Big Ten Takeover: The 2024 Season’s Power Shift

New Teams, Old Rivalries, and the High-Stakes Battle for College Football Supremacy

Buckle up, Big Ten fans — 2024 is about to be a rollercoaster. The conference isn’t just expanding; it’s becoming the heavyweight in college football. And no, that’s not just because Michigan is the reigning national champion. Shockingly, the Maize and Blue aren’t even cracking the top five most respected teams in the country. Instead, it’s Ohio State and the new kid on the block, Oregon, who are getting all the preseason hype.

Oh, and let’s not forget, there are some new faces at the party.

The Big Ten’s welcoming committee this year includes Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington, as they escape the sinking ship that was the Pac-12. The 2024 season will be the first with 18 programs, officially making the Big Ten a coast-to-coast super conference. But let’s be real: How are these West Coast teams going to handle life in the Midwest? Are they bringing the heat or are they going to whine about the weather and time zone changes?

New Kids on the Block

The million-dollar question: Will these Pac-12 refugees hit the ground running, or will the Big Ten’s rugged style chew them up and spit them out? Oregon comes in as a CFP contender, and USC is trying to convince us they belong in the conversation too. UCLA and Washington? They’re hoping to make a splash, but let’s see if they can handle the grind. It’s like a boy band reunion tour — full of promise, but we all know someone’s going to miss a step.

The Ryan Day Conundrum

Ryan Day’s got a sweet 53–8 record in five years at Ohio State, complete with a couple of Big Ten titles and three CFP appearances. Yet, Buckeye Nation is restless because he’s dropped three straight to Michigan and hasn’t delivered a national championship. Look, the criticism is overblown, but in the cutthroat world of college football, logic doesn’t always win. Bottom line: Day needs to take down Michigan in 2024, or the seat might start getting uncomfortably warm.

How Many CFP Teams?

With the CFP expanding to 12 teams, the Big Ten could be sending a few dance partners to the playoff. Ohio State and Oregon are already preseason top-five darlings, while Michigan and Penn State are lurking in the top 10. Will all four hold up, or is someone due for a faceplant? And what about a dark horse like Iowa or USC crashing the party? Either way, the Big Ten is going to have a strong presence in the playoff picture.

Top Challengers

Tier 1: Ohio State and Oregon
If you’re looking for safe bets, Ohio State is about as safe as you can get this year. The Buckeyes have playmakers everywhere, a veteran defense, and a new QB in Will Howard who just needs to be competent. Oregon, on the other hand, brings Dillon Gabriel and a potentially elite defense to the mix. Both of these teams should be punching their tickets to the CFP.

Tier 2: Michigan and Penn State
Michigan’s got talent, no doubt, but they’re breaking in a new QB and dealing with roster turnover. Penn State? They’ve got the pieces, but James Franklin has a nasty habit of coming up short in big games. These are good teams, but are they CFP good? I have my doubts.

Tier 3: Everyone Else
USC, Iowa, Wisconsin — who’s going to emerge as the surprise contender? Maybe you’re bullish on the Trojans, or perhaps you’re feeling frisky about Iowa’s schedule. Personally, I’m not putting my money on any of them, but hey, dream big.

Best Games of 2024

Nonconference Games

• Aug. 31: Penn State at West Virginia
• Sep. 1: LSU vs. USC (in Vegas, baby)
• Sep. 7: Texas at Michigan; Colorado at Nebraska; Boise State at Oregon
• Sep. 14: Alabama at Wisconsin

Circle these dates, folks. Michigan vs. Texas in Week 2 is must-see TV, and Alabama vs. Wisconsin? That’s a heavyweight fight if I’ve ever seen one. The Big Ten’s got a lot to prove in these nonconference matchups.

Top Conference Matchups

• Oct. 12: Ohio State at Oregon
• Nov. 2: Oregon at Michigan; Ohio State at Penn State
• Nov. 30: Michigan at Ohio State

Here’s where the Big Ten title race heats up. The Michigan-Ohio State-Oregon round-robin will determine who’s king of the hill. Anyone who goes 2–0 in these games is a lock for the Big Ten Championship, and likely the CFP.

Best of the Rest

• Sep. 21: USC at Michigan
• Oct. 5: Michigan at Washington
• Oct. 12: Penn State at USC
• Nov. 16: Oregon at Wisconsin
• Nov. 30: Washington at Oregon

These games were once rare out-of-conference matchups; now, they’re Big Ten slugfests. Don’t sleep on these, especially Michigan vs. Washington — a rematch of last year’s national title game.

The Best Offense: Oregon Ducks

Last season, Oregon’s offense was a juggernaut, thanks to Bo Nix. Now that Nix is off to the NFL, Dillon Gabriel steps in, surrounded by an embarrassment of riches. The Ducks are loaded at every position and should have no trouble putting up points. Mark it down: Oregon’s offense will be a problem for everyone they face.

The Best Defense: Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa’s defense is set to be a nightmare for opponents — again. With All-American Sebastian Castro leading the way and a linebacking corps that could rack up a bazillion tackles, the Hawkeyes will be tough to score on. The offense might be a hot mess, but if they can get anything going, Iowa could surprise some folks.

Projected Order of Finish

1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Michigan
5. Iowa
6. USC
7. Wisconsin
8. Rutgers
9. Nebraska
10. Maryland
11. Washington
12. Michigan State
13. Minnesota
14. Northwestern
15. Illinois
16. UCLA
17. Indiana
18. Purdue

Projected Title Game

Oregon vs. Ohio State. Yeah, it’s the safe pick, but these teams are built for success. And hey, you’ll get a sneak preview on October 12 when the Buckeyes visit Eugene — the first time since 1967. Sure, Michigan, Iowa, and Penn State could shake things up, but I’m sticking with the chalk. This Big Ten season is shaping up to be one for the ages. Get your popcorn ready.